Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Defence the major simulated exercises he has attended over the past six months in his capacity as chairman of the Task Force on Emergency Planning; the scenarios which were simulated; the person who organised the exercises; his views on whether these have been beneficial; if he intends to attend further simulated exercises over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23960/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Defence the most recent exercise undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the national emergency plan; the details of the findings of this exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 72 together.

The lead responsibility for specific emergency planning functions remains with the relevant lead Government Departments and those bodies under their aegis. Emergency plans are coordinated and exercised by the various lead Government Departments at a national level and through the Local Authorities, including the Fire Services, the Health Service Executive and the Garda Síochána at local and regional level.

As chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I have requested Departments and key public authorities to ensure that there are structured exercise programmes in place and to report to the Task Force on the status and progress of these programmes. In the past six months I have attended two simulated exercises; the first in Dublin Airport on 28 March and the second in Shannon Airport on 25 April. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, attended the Dublin Airport Exercise. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Mr. Pat the Cope Gallagher TD also attended.

This Dublin Airport Exercise scenario involved a MAYDAY call to the Airport's Air Traffic Control Service from an incoming flight. The exercise was carried out as part of the Irish Aviation Authority's licensing requirements for Dublin Airport and was simulated as a 'real' event. Along with the Dublin Airport Authority personnel (Airport Police Fire Service and Airport Police) the emergency was also attended by the key agencies that would be involved in a real event — An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade and the Health Service Executive's Ambulance Service. Overall it was considered that the exercise went well and the objectives were met.

The Shannon Airport Exercise 'Exercise Eagle' took place on 25 April at Shannon Airport. The aim of the exercise was to test the inter agency response to an aircraft accident at Shannon Airport. The Agencies involved were the Airport Police and Rescue Service, the Garda Síochána, Air Traffic Control, Clare County Council, Clare County Fire Service, Health Service Executive (West), Health Service Ambulance Service (West) and Shannon Airport Authority Management and Operations. The Exercise Eagle Report will be formulated by the Exercise Committee in due course.

I believe that the development of structured exercise programmes is essential in order to refine and develop the arrangements that exist, to continuously improve them through review and revision, and to generally provide the basis for an increased confidence in the emergency planning process. A comprehensive programme of exercises for 2006 is in train. I have asked Departments and key public authorities to identify suitable exercises that I or my cabinet colleagues may attend.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23771/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2005 the Government approved the establishment of a National Emergency Coordination Centre. The primary purpose of this Centre will be to provide a dedicated, central and multifunctional facility in which a high-level inter-departmental group of Ministers or senior officials would convene to coordinate the response in the event of a national level emergency.

A suitable location for the National Emergency Coordination Centre has been selected. However, some refurbishment works were required in order to facilitate the relocation of staff from the selected location to alternative accommodation. I understand that this work is now complete. The completion of this work facilitates the commencement of the substantive refurbishment works to meet the requirements of a National Emergency Coordination Centre. I understand that tenders for this work have been received and are currently being assessed. It is hoped that a contract will be placed in the very near future.

A further contract process is in train to address the technical and communications needs of the National Emergency Coordination Centre. I understand that contract documents are now being finalised in relation to this aspect of the work.